CASA's approach to teaching and learning is one of adult learning. The professor facilitates the learning process, the student assumes the responsibility of learning and the host family and local culture become the laboratory practice and continued learning occurs.

For 30 years our goal has been to provide students with a taste of a full immersion experience similar to that of the Peace Corps but of shorter duration, and has proven to be an excellent vehicle for students to hone valuable life skills such as decision making, problem solving, interpersonal
skills, flexibility, tolerance and the conviction that change begins and
can be made by oneself.

Our credit bearring programs are sponsored
by U.S. colleges and universities, yet there are customized programs for the indiviudal not seeking university credits and for groups of high school students. Learn more

How are we different?

One program of maximum 24 students per site

An average of 4 students per Spanish class, no prior Spanish required

One student per host family and long lasting relationships

Service learning projects which respond to needs identified by the community and done with active community participation

Academic curriculum designed in conjunction with the partner university to advance the students minors and majors

And, it's not all just work
either!

It's hard to learn if it's not
fun! We make sure you have time to travel, have
fun, experience classroom material in real life, interact with your host family while understanding and enjoying
the host culture. Ecologically rich Costa Rica is
known worldwide for its incredible beaches, majestic mountains, and perhaps
the friendliest people on earth. Nicaragua is an undiscovered gem…pristine
natural places, generous and resilient people, a contrasting place where the
rich past and the present coexist.